Japan Digest: Prosecutor Arrested in Postal Abuse Case

Here is a roundup of news from Japanese newspapers, news wires and websites on Wednesday, September 22, 2010. The Wall Street Journal has not verified these stories and does not vouch for their accuracy.

Prosecutor Arrested Over Data Tampering in Postal Abuse Case: A prosecutor at the Osaka District Public Prosecutors Office who led a botched investigation into a postal abuse case was arrested Tuesday on suspicion of altering computer data seized during the probe, the Supreme Public Prosecutors Office said. (Source: Mainichi)

Japan to Allow Airlines Freely Set International Fares Under Ceiling: The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism plans to let airlines set international airfares under a ceiling subject to its authorization, sources familiar with the matter said Tuesday. The deregulation will take effect starting with applications on Oct. 31, and is expected to assist rapidly growing low-cost carriers enter Japan’s aviation market. Airlines are currently required to obtain approval from the ministry for international airfares 30 days ahead of flying at such prices, tying the airlines’ abilities to cut fares for unsold seats even just before departure. (Source: Kyodo)

355 Young Children Unaccounted for in Major Cities Across Japan: Authorities in 35 major cities and wards across Japan are unable to confirm the safety or whereabouts of 355 infants between the ages of 0 and 3, a Mainichi survey has found. Families that move without changing their residence certificates are seen as one of the reasons for the lack of information. (Source: Mainichi)

Sales of Latest “Pokemon” Game Series Hit Record: Sales of the latest “Pocket Monsters” game series for Nintendo Co.’s Nintendo DS portable console hit a launch-week record in Japan, industry data showed Tuesday. More than two million copies of a new role-playing game featuring the lovable yellow cartoon character sold in the two days followings its release on Saturday. (Source: Jiji)

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